Arvin Meritor Technology, LLC

Xinyu Wen

Tomaz Dopico Varela

Kou Yang

David K Platner

Ragnar H Ledesma

Rajesh J Somnay

Benjamin R Reineck

Malcolm Green

James Trotter

Jim Trotter

Thilagan Abraham

A knuckle includes a spindle to support a wheel and upper and lower bosses extending inwardly of the spindle. The lower boss includes a tie rod arm mount interface. A tie rod arm is received within the tie rod arm mount interface and a steer arm is positioned on an opposite side of the knuckle from the tie rod arm. The steer arm is fixed to the tie rod arm and includes an input mount interface to receive steering input to turn a wheel. The steer arm and tie rod arm are attached to each other with at least one fastener, or can be integrally formed together as a single-piece component.

Mounting arrangement for lower steering arm

An axle beam includes a hollow beam body with at least first and second apertures formed in opposing wall portions of the hollow beam body. A stiffener is received within the first and second apertures and is fixed to the hollow beam body at an attachment interface.

Internal stiffener for hollow structure

At least one end of a longitudinally extending control link arm includes a laterally extending tubular portion that receives a bushing assembly. The tubular portion is used to pivotally secure an end of the control link arm to a vehicle structure or axle component. The bushing assembly is positioned within the tubular portion such that radial stiffness is distributed away from a center of the tubular portion. This configuration provides a high conical rate and provides auxiliary roll stiffness such that a sway bar is not required.

Linkage system for suspension

A vehicle suspension includes trailing arm assemblies that have one end pivotally mounted to a first suspension rail, an opposite end with an air spring support formed with the trailing arm, and an axle mount portion that is mounted to an axle beam. A Panhard arm provides lateral stiffness and includes a first pivotal connection to the trailing arm and a second pivotal connection to a second suspension rail laterally spaced from the first suspension rail.

Trailing arm suspension

A reinforced structural assembly is provided including a hollow structure having a cavity with a hole. A bag is inserted into the cavity using a tube. The bag has an end with an opening extending out of the cavity through the hole. A device injects a structural foam such as a two-part epoxy into the bag. The bag is closed and the end of the bag is inserted into the cavity. A cap is installed over the hole. The foam expands to fill the cavity but is contained within the bag thereby providing localized reinforcement in the desired area.

Locally reinforced hollow structural assembly

A spring assembly includes a spring seat clamped to a leaf spring at a center portion. The spring seat includes a cutout for distributing clamping stresses in a substantially uniform manner across the leaf spring. The cutout provides a relief for a central portion of the leaf spring to uniformly distribute clamping pressures across the leaf spring. Uniformly distributing stresses across the width of the spring increases leaf spring fatigue life.

Method for relieving spring seat mounting stresses

A suspension system includes a primary structural support such as an axle beam. To dampen movement of the beam, a leaf spring is attached to longitudinal mainframes which extend parallel to a vehicle centerline. A bracket assembly attaches the beam to the leaf springs by sandwiching the leaf spring therebetween. The bracket assembly also provides a support and mount for an air bag and a shock.

Growing community of inventors

Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Xinyu Wen